MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Air M5: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Same family, next chapter: the MacBook Air M5 is the direct follow-up to the MacBook Air M4. You won’t find a dramatic mismatch here: the MacBook Air M4 and the MacBook Air M5 are close on nearly every line that counts.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
Design & Size
There’s no meaningful size difference between the MacBook Air M4 and the MacBook Air M5.
Design & Build
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.97 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Depth | 8.46 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.44 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight | 2.73 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if display was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Performance
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On performance, both deliver about the same. In short, performance is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Ports & Connectivity
This section is descriptive. The MacBook Air M4 and the MacBook Air M5 list different components for ports & connectivity, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6 in | 13.6 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1664 |
| Pixel density | 224 ppi | 224 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | N/A (not specified) |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 | Apple M5 |
| CPU cores | 10 | 10 |
| Graphics | Apple M4 GPU (8-core) | N/A (not specified) |
| GPU cores | 8 | N/A (not specified) |
| Cooling | Fanless (passive) | Fanless (passive) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Base memory | 16 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| Max memory | 32 GB Highest memory ceiling | N/A (not specified) |
| Base storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| Max storage | 2 TB | N/A (not specified) |
Battery Life & Charging
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 53.8 Wh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 18 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Included charger | 30 W | N/A (not specified) |
Ports & Connectivity
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C / Thunderbolt ports | 2 | N/A (not specified) |
| Other ports | MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | N/A (not specified) |
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage | N/A (not specified) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | N/A (not specified) |
| Operating system | macOS Sequoia | macOS Tahoe |
Design & Build
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.97 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Depth | 8.46 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.44 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight | 2.73 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the MacBook Air M4 if…
- you’d rather not pay for improvements you won’t use
Choose the MacBook Air M5 if…
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the MacBook Air M4 or the MacBook Air M5?
The MacBook Air M5 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you already have the MacBook Air M4 and it works fine.
Is the MacBook Air M5 worth it over the MacBook Air M4?
Think about how you use your MacBook Air M4. If a handful of small refinements would make a real difference, the MacBook Air M5 is worth it; if not, keep what you have.
Is the MacBook Air M4 bigger than the MacBook Air M5?
Neither by much. The MacBook Air M4 and the MacBook Air M5 have nearly identical dimensions.
Executive Summary
I’ll keep this simple. The MacBook Air M5 is the successor to the MacBook Air M4, and the question is whether the gap justifies a switch.
If you’d rather have strength in the things a spec sheet can’t capture, go with the MacBook Air M4. If having the newer model is what you’d miss, go with the MacBook Air M5.
My pick: the MacBook Air M5 if you’re buying fresh, but I wouldn’t rush to replace a working MacBook Air M4.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.